HPA Talent has signed New York-based stand-up comedian, digital creator, and entrepreneur Alexis Carabaño for management, the company announced on October 8, 2026. The move underscores a broader shift in the entertainment industry, where comedians are increasingly valued not just for their stage work but for their ability to build audiences, create content, and develop original concepts across multiple platforms.
Carabaño's background is anything but traditional. Before dedicating himself fully to comedy, he and his brother spent nearly two decades building VSPOT, a pioneering plant-based Latin restaurant concept in Brooklyn. He first began performing stand-up by hosting comedy shows inside his own restaurant, a grassroots approach that eventually led to winning a national comedy competition for English-speaking Latin American performers through HBO Latino. He later appeared on the HBO/Max special "Entre Nos: The Winners." He has continued performing throughout New York City and most recently opened for comedian Marcello Hernandez. He is also the founder of St. Marks Comedy Club, a speakeasy-style venue in the East Village.
For HPA Talent, Carabaño represents a new kind of client. "Alexis is exactly the type of talent we look for at HPA because there are multiple layers to who he is and what we can build," said Paris D'Jon, CEO of HPA Talent. "He's funny, he understands business and social media, and most importantly, he knows how to connect with an audience. We see opportunities for Alexis well beyond the stand-up stage, including touring, television, digital content, brand partnerships, hosting, sports, lifestyle and entertainment."
The implications of this signing extend beyond one comedian's career. As D'Jon noted, "Comedy today is much bigger than simply walking on stage with a microphone. The comedians who can build communities, create content, host, work with brands and develop original concepts have tremendous opportunities. Alexis already has many of those pieces in place. Our job now is to connect the dots." This perspective reflects an industry-wide recognition that success in comedy now demands entrepreneurial skills, digital savvy, and the ability to transcend traditional venues.
Carabaño has already begun developing concepts that blend his passions. He is working on comedy projects connected to soccer culture, including "Juggling Jokes," a live event combining stand-up comedy, professional athletes, soccer culture, games, and freestyle entertainment. Such ventures illustrate how comedians can create unique live experiences that attract new audiences and sponsors.
Under the new management relationship, HPA Talent will work with Carabaño to expand his stand-up career across touring, television, digital media, brand partnerships, hosting, and other entertainment opportunities. For Carabaño, the partnership marks a deliberate step into a new chapter. "I'm excited to have HPA in my corner as I enter this new chapter," he said. "I actually started stand-up by hosting shows inside my own restaurant, which eventually led to some incredible opportunities. For a long time, I was apprehensive about signing with a manager or agent, but Paris and his team made me feel both comfortable and confident about fully immersing myself in entertainment. With their experience and track record, I'm excited about what we can build together and ready to put the same energy I've poured into my businesses into building the Alexis Carabaño brand."
Carabaño's story highlights the evolving pathways into comedy and the growing demand for talent who can operate across disciplines. His transition from restaurateur to comedian to club owner and now managed talent demonstrates how diverse experiences can fuel a unique comedic voice. As the entertainment landscape continues to fragment across platforms, the ability to engage audiences in multiple ways becomes a critical asset. HPA Talent's bet on Carabaño suggests that the future of comedy management lies in nurturing multi-hyphenate creators who can thrive both on and off the stage.
